Step construction



April-18, 1939- A. HENDERSON 2,154,937

STEP CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 24, 71958 INVENTO R Albert Hendersan A M, M KM Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PA'EENT QFFICE STEP CONSTRUCTION Application October 24,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to step construction and, in particular, to a construction composed of precast members assembled in a predetermined relation.

Steps assembled from precast members have been proposed heretofore but have not been extensively used because of the special shapes of the elements thereof and the resulting high cost. I have invented several forms of step construction which may be assembled from relatively simple precast members. Such members may be produced at low cost at a central point and transported to the point of use for assembly there. My invention also contemplates the provision of steps having a wider range of application and a more attractive appearance than steps composed of previously known precast elements. Several forms of my invention will be described in detail hereinafter With reference to the accornpanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. l is a perspective View of a set of steps embodying one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a modified form of construction;

Fig. 3 is a similar View showing a further modification;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a tread member employed in the construction of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the riser member;

Fig. 6 is an edge view of a tread member or a riser member; and

Fig. '7 is a partial side elevation showing a further modified construction.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the steps indicated at It in Fig. 1 are composed of a plurality of stringers H disposed side by side in abutting relation. Each stringer has its upper edge notched to form tread surfaces 52 and riser surfaces 53. The lower ends of the stringers rest on a footing l4 while the upper ends are supported by joists I5.

The stringers H preferably have reinforcing bars l6 embedded therein. They are also preierably provided with aligned holes through which tie rods ll may be inserted. The rods i! have the effect of uniting all the risers, thus forming a unitary or monolithic mass and distributing the stress applied to any one or more of the stringers to the remainder thereof.

A hand rail l8 may conveniently be provided by attaching posts lg to a stringer at one or both sides of the steps and attaching longitudinal members 20 thereto.

The steps shown in Fig. l have a high load- 1938, Serial No. 236,665

carrying capacity, and are particularly adapted for factory buildings or other types of commercial structures. These steps are also described and claimed in my copending divisional application Ser. No. 255,259, filed February 8, 1939, carved herefrom.

Fig. 2 illustrates a difierent type of steps which is particularly adapted for outdoor use. Stringers 25 are disposed between a heading 22 and a footing 23. The stringers 2| are spaced apart the desired Width of the steps and are notched to provide tread-supporting surfaces 24 and riserengaging surfaces 25. Precast slabs 26 are laid on the surfaces 24 and slabs 21 are laid against the riser surfaces.

Stringers 28 are laid over the slabs Z6 and 21 to provide a finished appearance and hold the slabs in place. The stringers 28 may be bolted, doweled, or otherwise secured to the stringers 2!. The slabs may be mortared to the stringers if desired or the elements of the structure may be laid dry. In either case, any of the tread or riser slabs may be replaced by removing it longitudinally.

Figs. 3 through 6 illustrate a construction similar to that of Fig. 2 except that the slabs 26 and 2'! terminate short of the stringers and have reinforcing bars 29 extending therefrom and engaging the surfaces 24 and 25' of the stringers 2i. In this construction the stringers 28' are mortared to the lower stringers 2|.

It will be appreciated that in both the construction of Fig. 2 and that of Fig. 3, the upper or finishing stringers are almost the same as the lower or foundation stringers, whereby they may both be made in the same mold with minor changes.

Fig. '7 illustrates a further form of step construction. In this construction, stringers 3| have their lower edges notched and have bolts 32 embedded therein. The bolts extend outwardly through the notched edges of the stringers and facilitate the attachment thereto of tread slabs 33 and riser slabs 34. The stringers 35 have a reinforcement embedded therein as shown at 35. These stringers are quite similar to those of Fig. 1 except that they have their notched edge disposed downwardly.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that my invention provides steps that can be constructed of precast members at relatively low cost and are suitable for interior or exterior installation. The precast members themselves are simple in form and their erection can readily be taken care of by unskilled 1abor. The precast members, of course, may be made in various lengths and sizes to meet the requirements of different applications. The invention includes both steps adapted to carry very heavy loads and lighter constructions suitable for residences or other small buildings.

Although I have disclosed herein but a few forms of the invention as typical embodiments thereof, the constructions shown may be changed without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Steps comprising spaced pairs of stringers disposed in vertical alignment, the upper surface of the lower stringers and the lower surface of the upper stringers being notched to form tread and, riser-engaging surfaces and tread and riser slabs extending between said pairs of stringers, the ends of said slabs being disposed between the stringers of both pairs.

2. Steps comprising spaced pairs of stringers disposed in vertical alignment, the upper surface of the lower stringers and the lower surface of the upper stringers beingnotched to form tread-engaging surfaces and tread slabs extending between said pairs of stringers, the ends of said slabs being disposed between the stringers of both pairs.

3. In a step construction, spaced supports, each comprising an upper and lower notched stringer, tread slabs extending between said spaced supports and carried on said lower stringers.

4. In a step construction, spaced notched stringers, tread slabs supported thereon, and similar notched stringers superimposed on said steps in inverted position to form end walls for said treads.

ALBERT HENDERSON. 

